If a patient presents with a positive Neer's Test, what type of impingement is indicated?

A positive Neer's Test specifically indicates subacromial impingement. This test assesses the pain that arises when the arm is lifted in a forward motion while the scapula is stabilized, and it targets the space under the acromion where structures like the rotator cuff tendons can become pinched. The presence of pain during this maneuver suggests that there is likely some level of irritation or impingement occurring in the subacromial space, leading to the conclusion of subacromial impingement.

While rotator cuff impingement might seem similar, it is generally more specifically assessed through other tests or imaging rather than a definitive correlation to the Neer's Test alone. Additionally, acromioclavicular impingement is related more to pain and dysfunction associated with the acromioclavicular joint itself, rather than the subacromial space, and requires different assessment techniques. Glenohumeral (GH) joint impingement encompasses issues within the shoulder joint itself, which Neer's Test is not designed to assess directly. Thus, the presence of pain elicited by the Neer's Test is primarily linked to subacromial impingement.